1 Kings 5:6-16

6 "Now therefore, command that they cut for me ¹cedars from Lebanon, and my servants will be with your servants; and I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you say, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."

7 When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, "Blessed be the LORD today, who has given to David a wise son over this great people."

8 So Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, "I have heard the message which you have sent me; I will do what you desire concerning the cedar and cypress timber.

9 "My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; and I will make them into rafts to go by sea ²to the place where you direct me, and I will have them broken up there, and you shall carry them away. Then ³you shall accomplish my desire by giving food to my household."

10 So Hiram gave Solomon as much as he desired of the cedar and cypress timber.

11 ⁴Solomon then gave Hiram 20,000 * kors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty kors of beaten oil; thus Solomon would give Hiram year by year.

12 ⁵The LORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.

Conscription of Laborers

13 Now ⁶King Solomon levied forced laborers from all Israel; and the forced laborers numbered 30,000 * men.

14 He sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 * a month in relays; they were in Lebanon a month and two months at home. And ⁷Adoniram was over the forced laborers.

15 Now ⁸Solomon had 70,000 * transporters *, and 80,000 * hewers of stone in the mountains,

16 ⁹besides * Solomon's 3,300 * * * chief deputies who were over the project and who ruled over the people who were doing the work.

1 Kings 5:6-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 5

This chapter relates Solomon's preparation for building the temple: on Hiram, king of Tyre, sending a congratulatory letter to him, he returned another to him, signifying his intention to build an house for God, and requesting him to supply him with timber, and men to work it, 1Ki 5:1-6; to which Hiram readily agreed, and sent him cedar and fir, and Solomon in return sent him food for his household; and things went on very amicably between them, 1Ki 5:7-12; the chapter concludes with an account of Solomon's workmen, where, how, and in what they were employed, 1Ki 5:13-18.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Chronicles 2:8
• 2. 2 Chronicles 2:16
• 3. Ezra 3:7; Ezekiel 27:17
• 4. 2 Chronicles 2:10
• 5. 1 Kings 3:12
• 6. 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 9:15
• 7. 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 12:18
• 8. 1 Kings 9:20-22; 2 Chronicles 2:17, 18
• 9. 1 Kings 9:23

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "all your pleasure"
• [b] Lit "send"
• [c] Heb "Hirom"
• [d] Lit "was giving"
• [e] Lit "all his desire"
• [f] I.e. One kor equals approx 10 bu
• [g] I.e. One kor equals approx 10 bu
• [h] Lit "spoke to"
• [i] Lit "raised up"
• [j] Lit "was"
• [k] Or "burden bearers"
• [l] Lit "work"